How Should You Button Your Suit Jacket and Waistcoat? (2024)

FAQs

How Should You Button Your Suit Jacket and Waistcoat? ›

When wearing a waistcoat keep the bottom button undone on the waistcoat. If you wear a jacket over the top, generally no jacket buttons are done up, or the rules above are followed.

We're not big on rules, but we stand by the “never button the last button” rule. Vest or no vest, buttoning the bottom button will make you look like a rube, plain and simple. If you do have a vest on, the bottom button on the vest ought to remain unbuttoned as well.

The three-button suit, like others, comes with a simple rule: "sometimes, always, never." This means you should sometimes fasten the top button (if you want to), always fasten the middle button, and never fasten the bottom.

The two button suit rule says you should button the top button while the button on the bottom is left open. Like every other type of suit jacket design, this style exudes a timeless and bold look. This can also be seen in how designers cut the suit to accommodate this style.

Waistcoats were designed to fit snugly to the body, and leaving the bottom button undone allowed greater freedom of movement, particularly when sitting down.

So what are the rules? The golden rule is to leave your bottom button undone. If you fail to do this, get carried away, and button all of the buttons up, than all the time you spent matching your tie, starching your shirt and polishing your shoes will have been a waste.

Yes, you can leave your suit jacket unbuttoned when standing and for sure unbuttoned when sitting, depending on the style and fit of the jacket. Leaving it unbuttoned allows for more freedom of movement and a relaxed appearance.

Some people might wear their button-up shirts unbuttoned because they think it looks cool or stylish, while others might do it for comfort or because they're hot. There's really no wrong answer - it's all about what you like and what makes you feel good.

Buttoning rules for one-button suit jackets

The issue of deciding which button to fasten doesn't exist due to only one buttonhole on the suit's jacket. These jackets should ALWAYS be buttoned when standing. Unbutton the jacket when sitting down so that it doesn't crease.

TL;DR: Just the top button undone is the answer for most of us, most of the time. Two buttons undone can be fine for many of us, some of the time. Finding dress shirts with a slightly lowered second button can give you that “just right” look all of the time.

What is the etiquette for suit buttons? ›

With a single-breasted, three-button suit, simply close the middle button, always. The top button is optional and can be buttoned up or left undone. The bottom button, again, should never be buttoned, as it will put a strain on the fabric of the suit jacket and will not look flattering.

Button up your jacket (unless you're sitting down)

The general rule is 'button up unless you're sitting down' – suits are designed to be closed while standing so that it looks sharp, falls nicely and fits you well.

If you're attending a Wedding, Award Ceremony, The Races or A Black Tie Ball then by all means wear a waistcoat but if you're going for an interview, going on a date or heading for the office then its probably best to stick to your trusted Two-Piece Suit.

A waistcoat is designed to sit at the waist, just over the waistband of your trousers. There is a strap at the back to tighten across the waist, if needed. It should sit close to your chest, but not so close that the buttons pull across your chest, causing opening between the buttons, putting strain on the fabric.

How to wear a 3 piece suit? Jacket can be worn buttoned or unbuttoned. The waistcoat must always be worn buttoned all the way up, leaving the bottom button open. In the past the open bottom button prevented the waistcoat from riding-up when on horseback.

A double-breasted waistcoat should always be cut proportionally to the jacket you're wearing it with so that the body of the vest isn't visible when your coat is buttoned up. Avoid wearing double-breasted waistcoats with informal or country-style fabrics like tweed.

Out of respect for the King, the British court followed suit and it soon became the fashion to leave the bottom button undone.